Forget the games lost or the $443,000 in salary he will forfeit. Blackmon's suspension is a turning point in his life. Either he gets straight, clean and sober … or he aborts a football career that appeared bright and lucrative when he was drafted out of Oklahoma State.

There is an immediate impact for Blackmon. For the team, too, the absence of a talented young athlete will be marked. The only difference this weekend is, the Jaguars don't play. No game means their record will remain 0-8.

"Justin has taken the news very hard, as you can imagine, so you know he cares," Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell said in a conference call. "He is willing to take the correct steps to make sure he does not make bad decisions anymore. That is a big step for Justin."

Jaguars officials won't shun Blackmon, who will be allowed at team facilities during his banishment. He cannot attend games, but otherwise Caldwell, his coaches and other team personnel can assist Blackmon as he faces the latest personal crisis of his career.

If all goes well, Blackmon will emerge a changed man. He can petition commissioner Roger Goodell for reinstatement in time for the 2014 season. And he can live up to the enormous talent he possesses.

If he doesn't wake up, Blackmon will become just another football failure, a man doomed by the dark side of NFL life, its temptations and personal demons.

First step in this, his third run-in with the league and its substance abuse policy, is finding a treatment facility to best serve his needs. "We're all trying to find out what's best for him," Caldwell said.

Blackmon's personal penance included a Friday apology addressed to Jaguars owner Shad Khan and the organization.

"I want to sincerely apologize to Mr. Khan, my teammates, my coaches and to the Jaguars fans for not utilizing the resources that I was provided to overcome my challenges. I am determined to overcome the issues that have resulted in this situation, and I truly appreciate the support that the Jaguars and my agent have shown me.

"I will address these matters with the type of intensity I usually direct toward my on-field play so that I can be ready to be a productive member of the team and community next season. Again, I am truly sorry to Mr. Khan, my teammates and coaches and to the Jaguars fans for the impact of my situation on the team as well as to my family and friends and those that have been there for me during these challenging times. Nobody is more disappointed with all of this than me."

Blackmon was suspended the season's first four games in connection with substance abuse. Despite plenty of reported hands-on concern for him from coach Gus Bradley and team officials, Blackmon couldn't escape his demons.

"We've made great strides with Justin the last four-five months as anybody around our program can see — I think you've seen a difference in his demeanor and how he was approaching his business," Caldwell said. "He needs our support. This has been about Justin Blackmon the person, not Justin Blackmon the player.

"Justin wanted to the right thing and I think he tried really hard to do the right thing. Sometimes people just need to take a break and get more help than we can provide for them. This break could be a really good thing for him and his well-being, which is the most important thing."

Red flags arose concerning Blackmon while still at Oklahoma State. Alcohol has been his personal albatross, starting with a 2010 arrest in Texas and aggravated DUI charges in Oklahoma just weeks after the Jaguars made him the fifth overall pick in the NFL Draft.

Each time was met with Blackmon statements of remorse. And yet, a relapse followed each incident.

The Jaguars are a team in transition, a long rebuilding program with a first-year coach, changed front office and an owner getting settled in at his job. Blackmon is a key to their future and was a bright spot, for a few games anyway, in the dismal eight weeks that saw his team lose every game by double digits.

Now, the only person who can save Justin Blackmon … is Justin Blackmon.